With limited time off, I make sure to plan my travels in a way that lets me experience as much as possible in a short amount of time. One of the best ways to do this is road trips! With our goal of seeing all 60 national parks, I often try to plan trips that will allow us to visit multiple national parks in one epic road trip. I love when you can experience such diverse cultures, landscapes, climates, and wildlife all in one trip. And, the drive itself is usually just as much of an adventure as each of the destinations.

I won’t lie, I almost get more enjoyment out of mapping my route and planning than I do out of the trip itself. So much so, that I’ve compiled this bucket list of 13 national park road trips. I have completed some of these, but most of them are trips I’m planning on taking in the coming years. With my limited time off, I try to keep these trips to no more than 10 days. It’s all about maximizing PTO! If you take a road trip during a 4-day work week you get 10 days of vacation with only taking 4 days off work!

Note: I provide a basic outline of each trip, with possible things to do and see. The time spent on each of these trips can certainly vary depending on how much time you have and what you plan on doing and seeing.

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Table of Contents:

The East

Florida

Virginia/North Carolina/Tennessee

The Southwest/Colorado Plateau

New Mexico/Texas

Arizona/Nevada/Utah

Arizona

Utah

The Rocky Mountains

Colorado

South Dakota

Wyoming

The Pacific Southwest

California

California/Nevada

The Pacific Northwest

Northern California/Oregon

Washington

National Park Road Trips

The East

Florida

Nearest Airport: Miami/Key West
Time Needed: 5-6 days
Parks to visit: Biscayne National Park, Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park
Best Time to Visit: Winter

MAP:

Start the trip in Miami, FL. Biscayne National Park is only about 40 miles from Miami and 95% water. Take a day to do a scuba/snorkel excursion with one of the authorized charters. On another day, visit Everglades National Park, also only 40-50 miles from Miami. Take a boat tour, or rent a canoe/kayak to take through the water trails. Rent a bike and ride around shark valley or do a shark valley tram tour and do some short hikes to get up close and personal to the alligators (but not too close) and other wildlife. Enjoy Miami as much as you’d like before heading to Key West, about a 4 hour drive. Here, you can check out Dry Tortugas National Park which is only accessible by boat or seaplane. Only 1% of this park is dry ground, so again, pick a tour that helps you make the most of this park! Check out Ready, Set, PTO’s post to learn more about how to plan a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park. You can fly out of Key West or head back to Miami.

Virginia

Nearest Airport: D.C. Reagan/Knoxville
Time Needed: 7-10 days
Parks to Visit: Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Best Time to Visit: Fall

MAP:

I’ve been to both of these parks, but have never done the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip, which is lame considering it’s basically in my backyard. So even though I’ve done most of the activities in the parks here, this road trip is still technically on my bucket list!

Fly into one of D.C.’s major airports and head to Shenandoah National Park in VA. Drive down Skyline Drive, allowing plenty of time for stops at overlooks and hikes along the way. Some of my favorite hikes in the park are White Oak Canyon, Old Rag, Dark Hollows Falls, and Stoney Man! Maybe rock climb or experience a trail via horseback! There are plenty of Airbnbs in the area or you can stay at one of the lodges in the park. I’d spend 2-3 days exploring Shenandoah before hitting the Blue Ridge Parkway and heading south. Perhaps hit a winery/vineyard along the Monticello Trail! On the way south make sure to hit Roanoke and hike McAfee Knob, which has been on my to do list for years now! Stay a night or two in Asheville before heading to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I have yet to see the North Carolina side of GSMNP, but I can recommend the Alum Cave trail to Mt. Leconte, and Laurel Falls on the Tennessee side. Fly out of Knoxville.

The Southwest/Colorado Plateau

New Mexico/Texas

Nearest Airport: El Paso, TX
Time needed: 4-5 days
Parks to Visit: Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, White Sands National Monument
Best Time to Visit: Fall

MAP:

Fly into El Paso,TX. Drive 1 hr 45 min to Guadalupe Mountains National Park and spend 2 days here. Allow one day to hike the Guadalupe Peak Trail. From the same base, spend a day in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Do the 9.5 mile scenic drive and take a self-guided or ranger-guided tour of the caverns. Last, drive 3.5 hours to White Sands National Monument. Here, do the scenic drive, go on some hikes, and go sledding down the sand dunes! Complete the loop, driving 1.5 hours back to El Paso.

Arizona/Nevada/Utah

Nearest Airport: Las Vegas
Time Needed: 7 days
Parks to Visit: Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park
Best Time to Visit: Spring or Fall

MAP:

This is one of the trips that I’ve checked off the list! Fly into Las Vegas and drive about 4.5 hours to Grand Canyon National Park. Spend 2 days and nights here. Hike Bright Angel Trail and South Kaibab Trail. Stop in Page, AZ for one day and night to see Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend before heading to Bryce Canyon National Park. Here, hike the Queens Garden/Navajo Loop Trail. Then, head to Zion National Park for 2 days. Hike Observation Point or Angel’s Landing, and maybe the Narrows. Complete the loop, driving back to Las Vegas. Maybe stop at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area if you have any extra time. Check out my post to read more about how I spent 7 days in Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion.

Arizona

Nearest Airport: Phoenix
Time Needed: 7-10 days
Parks to Visit: Petrified National Park, Saguaro National Park, Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Best Time to Visit: Spring or Fall

MAP:

For this trip, fly into Phoenix and spend some time here. I haven’t been to Phoenix yet but I’ve heard great things and it’s a city I definitely want to visit. Next, head to Sedona (2 hours from Phoenix). Drive 3.5 hours to Monument Valley and stay somewhere close by for the night. Note: Monument Valley can be done in either this trip, the trip to Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion, or the Utah road trip. If stopping at Monument Valley on this trip, then be sure to make a quick stop at Canyon de Chelly on your way down to Petrified Forest National Park. Spend one day at Petrified Forest National Park. Then, drive down to Tucson (almost 6 hrs). Spend a day at Saguaro National Park while you’re there. Fly out of Tucson or drive an hour and 45 min back to Phoenix.  

Utah

Nearest Airport: Salt Lake City and Las Vegas
Time Needed: 7-10 days
Parks to Visit: Utah’s Mighty 5 (Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park), Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Dead Horse Point State Park, Goblin Valley State Park
Best Time to Visit: Spring or Fall

MAP:

There’s a lot of different options for this road trip. There’s so much to do in the southwest and so many different possible road trips. But if you could swing it and see all of Utah’s Mighty 5 in one trip, you’re in for a treat!

Start by flying into Salt Lake City and then drive to Moab. From Moab, spend 1 day in Arches National Park and 1 day in Canyonlands National Park (only 30 min from Moab). While there, also check out Dead Horse Point State Park. On your way to Capitol Reef, stop at Goblin Valley State Park. Next, head to Capitol Reef National Park and spend 2 days there. On your way to Bryce Canyon National Park, stop at Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument (1 hr from Capitol Reef and 1.5 from Bryce). Spend a day and a half at Bryce. Hike the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail. Last, drive to Zion National Park (1 hr 20 min). Spend 2 days in Zion. Hike Angel’s Landing or Observation Point. Maybe try the Narrows (but make sure you have a permit). To get home, you can either fly out of Las Vegas (3 hrs) or back to SLC (5 hrs).

The Rocky Mountains

Colorado

Nearest Airport: Denver
Time Needed: 10 days
Parks to Visit: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado National Monument, Eldorado Canyon State Park
Best Time to Visit: Early Fall

MAP:

Fly into Denver. Drive about 4 hours to Great Sand Dunes National Park. Explore the dunes and Medano Creek, but be sure to allow at least one more day to explore the hikes east of the Dunes. If you have some extra time, consider making a stop at Black Rock Hot Springs in New Mexico before heading to Mesa Verde. Next, drive another 4+ hours to Mesa Verde National Park and spend one day here.  Then, head to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Spend a day driving along the South Rim and exploring some of the trails. Take a full day to head to Rocky Mountain National Park (a 6+ hour drive). On your way,  considering stopping at Colorado National Monument and/or Glenwood Springs. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the scenic drives and hikes of Rocky Mountain National Park. Drive along Trail Ridge Road, Old Fall River Road, and Bear Lake Road and choose from one of the many hikes the park has to offer. If you have time, stop at Eldorado Canyon State Park on your way back to Denver!

South Dakota

Nearest Airport: Rapid City
Time Needed: 7 days
Parks to Visit: Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Devil’s Tower National Monument
Best Time to Visit: Spring or Fall

MAP:

Fly into Rapid City and head to Badlands National Park (1 hour drive) either for 1- or 2- day trip. Then, head to Wind Cave National Park for a day. Spend a day exploring Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park and Crazy Horse Memorial (all within 1 hr from one another and from Wind Cave). If you have time, head to Devil’s Tower National Monument in Wyoming (an additional 2 hrs further west) for some rock climbing. Drive one hour and 40 min back to Rapid City.

Wyoming

Nearest Airport: Jackson, WY (or SLC)
Time Needed: 7 days
Parks to Visit: Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Best Time to Visit: Early Fall

MAP:

For a Yellowstone and Grand Teton road trip,  fly into Jackson Hole (or SLC, but be sure to plan for a 5-6 hour drive to the parks). Spend 2 days/nights in Grand Teton National Park. Enjoy epic hikes and scenic drives, do a river float on Snake River, and horseback ride at Colter Bay Village. Then, head to Yellowstone National Park. Spend 3 nights in South or West Yellowstone. See Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring and do some scenic drives. Spend another day in Canyon Village, hiking in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Perhaps spend some time or do a short hike near Lake Yellowstone and Hayden Valley.  Spend 1 day/night in northern Yellowstone and Lamar Valley for some of the best wildlife viewing in the park. While there, hike Mt. Washburn and/or Bunsen peak. Last, head to Mammoth Hot Springs and Boiling River. Drive back to Jackson or SLC to fly out.

The Pacific Southwest

California

Nearest Airport: San Francisco
Time Needed: 10 days
Parks to Visit: Pinnacles National Park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park, Devils Postpile National Monument
Best Time to Visit: Spring

MAP:

Fly into San Francisco and drive south to Pinnacles National Park (about a 2 hr drive) and spend 2 days here. Hike one of the many trails, explore one of the caves, and maybe even rock climb! Head east (approximately 3 hrs) to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. You can easily spend 3-4 days here. Visit Cedar Grove, Giant Forest and Grant Grove, and Crystal Cave. Hike Moro Rock and spend some time in Mineral King area. Next, drive 2.5 hrs to Yosemite National Park. Spend about 2 days in Yosemite National Park. Visit Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, and Mariposa Grove. If you have the time, head to Devil’s Postpile (~1.5 hr drive) passing Tuolumne Meadows on the way. Then, head back to SF to depart. Note: This trip can easily be split into two separate trips to shorten the time frame (Pinnacles and Sequoia and Kings Canyon in one trip and then Yosemite and Devil’s Postpile in another. Read about my northern California road trip that includes Yosemite National Park).

California/Nevada

Nearest Airport: Las Vegas
Time Needed: 5 days
Parks to Visit: Death Valley National Park, Valley of Fire State Park, Red Rock National Conservation Area
Best Time to Visit: Winter

MAP:

Fly into Vegas. Go to Valley of Fire State Park for a half day. Spend some time climbing or hiking at Red Rock National Conservation Area while in Las Vegas. Then, head to Death Valley National Park for 2-3 days. There are a ton of great spots to visit, hikes, and scenic drives. Visit the Mesquite Sand Dunes, Badwater Basin, and Devil’s Golf Course. Drive the scenic Artists Drive, Twenty Mule Team Canyon, and Titus Canyon. Hike the Golden Canyon Trail. Visit Zabriskie Point and Dante’s View. Visit Scotty’s Castle and the Racetrack. Note: This is another trip we’ve done. Our focus was on Death Valley, but another option would be to spend less time in Vegas and include Joshua Tree National Park (or simply add more days to include JT). You could also fly into Los Angeles if doing this route.  

The Pacific Northwest

Northern California/Oregon

Nearest Airport: Medford or Acrata-Eureka
Time Needed: 7 days
Parks to Visit: Lassen Volcanic National Park, Redwood National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon Caves National Monument, Lava Beds National Monument
Best Time to Visit: Summer or Early Fall

MAP:

The closest airports within this loop are Medford, Oregon or Acrata-Eureka. Sacramento will add about 3 hours of driving each way and San Francisco would add about 4 hours of driving each way (if you start the loop at Lassen Volcanic National Park).

On your way to Crater Lake, consider stopping at Oregon Caves National Monument to take a cave tour. Then, spend 2 days in Crater Lake National Park. Tour the Rim Drive and perhaps do a boat tour of the lake and explore some of the many hikes the park has to offer. On your way south, consider stopping at Lava Beds National Monument. Next, head to Lassen Volcanic National Park. Give yourself about 2 days here to drive the Park Road, hike Lassen Peak and perhaps hike Cinder Cone Nature Trail. Next, head to Redwood National Park. Spend a day or two driving and walking amongst the redwoods.

Washington

Nearest Airport: Seattle
Time Needed: 7 days
Parks to Visit: North Cascades National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park
Best Time to Visit: Summer or Fall

MAP:

This is another trip I’ve checked off the list and probably one of my favorites! Fly into Seattle and spend as much time as you want in the city. Head to North Cascades National Park (a 2 hour drive) for 1 or 2 days. Drive the Cascades Highway and Cascade River Road and hike Cascade Pass. If you happen to be there in March or April, make sure to take some time to visit the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival! Next, head to Mount Rainier National Park (a 4 hour drive from NCNP) for at least 2 days. Visit Paradise and Sunrise and explore some of the amazing hiking trails this park has to offer. My favorite was Second Burroughs! Then, head to Olympic National Park (about a 4 hour drive to Hurricane Ridge from Mt. Rainier).  Start on the north side of the park visiting Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent and Sol Duc. Then, head to Hoh Rainforest and hike the Hall of Mosses Trail. Last, explore the Pacific beaches along the coast and see some tide pools. Head back to Seattle to fly out (about 3 hours). 

Have you done any of these road trips? What was your favorite road trip? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below!

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